Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu calls 'India closest and most reliable partner' after PM Modi's 'neighbourhood first' policy
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has now called India the Maldives' closest and most trusted friend, a big change from his earlier 'India Out' campaign. He made these remarks during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Presidential Office in Malé, as part of Modi's two-day state visit to the Maldives.
President Muizzu thanked India for always helping the Maldives first whenever there's an emergency. 'India has always been our closest and most reliable partner,' he said. 'We work together in many important areas like safety, trade, health, and education all of which have a direct impact on the daily lives of our people.'
He also pointed out how many Maldivians visit India every day for medical treatment, studying, and business. At the same time, he welcomed Indian people living in the Maldives, saying they play an important role in the country's economy and community.
Talking about his government's plans, Muizzu said, 'Our goal is to build a strong and fair economy that gives our young people opportunities, prepares them for a digital future, and helps keep peace in the region. India's support is very important in helping us reach these goals.'
In addition to praising India for its quick response during the Maldives' crises, President Muizzu also spoke with Prime Minister Modi about many areas where the two countries work together. These include development, infrastructure support, building skills, tackling climate change, and improving healthcare. Special place for Maldives in 'Neighbourhood First' policy: PM Modi
PM Modi promised that India would continue to support the Maldives and its people, based on what is needed and important for both nations, as well as for a peaceful and successful region around the Indian Ocean.
The two leaders reviewed the progress of their joint plans for better economic and maritime security under the India-Maldives Joint Vision. Modi confirmed that India would work even harder to strengthen their relationship, following its 'Neighbourhood First' approach and the Vision MAHASAGAR policy.
They also agreed to boost their defense and maritime security ties and stressed the importance of their cooperation through the Colombo Security Conclave. Agreements between India and Maldives signed during PM Modi's visit to Maldives
India and the Maldives signed six MOUs in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure, UPI, Indian pharmacopoeia, and concessional Line of Credit. Fisheries and Aquaculture – For better cooperation in marine resources.
Meteorology – To share weather data and improve forecasting.
Digital Public Infrastructure – To boost digital systems and e-governance.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – To bring India's digital payment system to the Maldives.
Indian Pharmacopoeia – To align medicine standards and quality.
Concessional Line of Credit – A financial agreement to support development projects. Financial support includes: A new Line of Credit worth Rs.4,850 crores (about $550 million) was offered by India to help fund infrastructure and other development activities in the Maldives.
An Amendatory Agreement was also signed, reducing the Maldives's annual debt repayment burden by 40 per cent, bringing it down from USD 51 million to USD 29 million. Other key announcements and inaugurations: A roads and drainage system project in Addu City (virtually inaugurated).
Six High-Impact Community Development Projects across different cities.
3,300 social housing units handed over to benefit local families.
72 vehicles donated for use by the Maldives National Defence Force and Immigration services.
Two Aarogya Maitri Health Cube (BHISHM) units gifted, which can treat 200 patients and support a team of six medical workers for up to 72 hours in emergencies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
23 minutes ago
- NDTV
PM Modi To Address NDA Parliamentary Meeting Tomorrow
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the BJP-led NDA parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, a get-together of the ruling alliance's MPs which is being held after a considerable gap. The NDA meeting comes a couple of days before the filing of nomination for vice president's election begins from August 7. The NDA will have to announce its candidate, whose election will be a certainty due to the alliance's majority in the electoral college, by August 21, the last date of nomination-filing and the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The meeting comes in the middle of a session which has been all but a washout so far, except for a two-day discussion on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, due to a united Opposition's ceaseless protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar by the Election Commission. PM Modi is expected to speak on a host of current issues as the Opposition has been raising the heat over the poll body's alleged partisan conduct favouring the government, and the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The prime minister is also likely to be felicitated by the parliamentary party over his government's military response to the terror strike. The electoral college for the vice president poll includes MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and its current strength is 782. If the Opposition also names a candidate, a distinct possibility, then the poll is scheduled to be held on September 9. Since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the BJP lost its majority but comfortably crossed the halfway mark with allies, the sessional meeting of the party's MPs was expanded to include its allies. PM Modi had addressed the first such meeting on July 2. However, no meeting has been held in the last few sessions. Before the last national elections, he used to address the weekly meetings of BJP parliamentary party, now expanded to include party's allies such as the TDP, JD(U), and LJP (Ram Vilas). The meeting is attended by MPs of the ruling alliance, and PM Modi often covers a sweep of political and governance issues, and at times touches on the government's agenda in Parliament. He often offers to the MPs talking points to be raised in public, especially their constituencies.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Retail's tug-of-war: India needs smart policies for ecommerce, local retail
The retailer in India traditionally provides a low-margin service, frequently provides credit, and may source merchandise for specific needs Listen to This Article Retail is changing in character, and India is undoubtedly at the forefront of this development globally. It is quite evident that consumers in India have taken to ecommerce in a big way. My home, for instance, has shifted almost completely to ordering online — so much so that even the maid is doing so. And if stories are to be believed, tier-III and tier-IV cities, as well as rural India, are also seeing rapid growth in online ecommerce. No doubt, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhaar and other components of India's digital public infrastructure have helped drive this growth. Easy
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump Threatens To 'Substantially Increase' Tariffs On India Over Russian Oil
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened steep tariffs on India, accusing it of profiting from the Ukraine war by buying and reselling Russian oil. A 25% tariff on Indian imports is set to take effect on August 7, with further penalties possible. Despite the warning, India remains firm on its energy strategy, citing market-based decisions. Russia now supplies nearly 40% of India's crude oil, up from just 2.5% before the war. The government says refiners will continue sourcing oil commercially, prioritizing energy security. The move places India in a diplomatic bind as it balances strategic autonomy with mounting U.S. pressure.#donaldtrump #indiatariffs #russianoil #trumpsocial #ukrainewar #crudeoil #energysecurity #geopolitics #tradepolicy #toi #toibharat Read More
